Equipment Carrier with Tensioned Tether for Retaining Equipment in an Equipment Holder

ABSTRACT

An equipment carrier configured to secure at least one piece of equipment to a user, and corresponding method. The equipment carrier includes at least one equipment holder configured to be secured to the user. The equipment holder includes an engaging portion configured to receive the equipment. At least one tether includes a first portion attached to the equipment and a second portion attached to the user at a second location offset from the engaging portion. The at least one tether applies a tension force on the equipment to retain the equipment with the engaging portion of the equipment holder. The tension force is negligible when the equipment is disengaged from the equipment holder and positioned near the second location.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/965,420 filed Dec. 10, 2015, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/107,037 filed Dec. 16, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.9,332,822 issued May 10, 2016, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/180,549, filed Jul. 12, 2011, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,210,978, issued Dec. 15, 2015, which are herein incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to an equipment carrier that retainsequipment, such as binoculars, cameras, range finders, GPS systems, andother equipment, to a user, and to a locking mechanism for securing theequipment to the equipment holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of carriers exist for binoculars, cameras, range finders,GPS systems, and other similar equipment. Various carriers that securethe device to the user tend to limit access to the device and typicallyrequire two hands to operate. For example, a neck strap is notsufficient to secure binoculars when the user is engaged in kineticactivity. A more elaborate structure is required, which in turn, reducesaccess to the equipment.

Gaining quick and easy access to a device, especially with only onehand, has proven to be difficult to achieve with existing carriers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to an equipment carrier configured tosecure at least one piece of equipment to a user. The equipment carrierincludes at least one equipment holder configured to be secured to theuser. The equipment holder includes an engaging portion configured toreceive the equipment. At least one tether includes a first portionattached to the equipment and a second portion attached to the user at asecond location offset from the engaging portion. The at least onetether applies a tension force on the equipment to retain the equipmentwith the engaging portion of the equipment holder. The tension force isnegligible when the equipment is disengaged from the equipment holderand positioned near the second location.

The engaging portion optionally includes a locking assembly configuredto lock a base plate attached to the equipment to the equipment holder.The base plate is releasably attached to the equipment, such as a shoefor a camera. The base plate is configured to attach the equipment toother structures, such as a tripod. The locking assembly is typicallybiases to a locked configuration and the base plate slides intoengagement with the locking assembly.

The tether can be an elastically deformable member or a retractionmechanism that generates the tension force. The equipment holder can beattached to one of the user, or a backpack, a safety or utility vest, autility belt, a harness, a hydration pack, or other garments orequipment worn by the user. The second portion of the tether can beattached to one of the user, or a backpack, a safety or utility vest, autility belt, a harness, a hydration pack, or other garments orequipment worn by the user.

The present disclosure is also directed to a method of securing at leastone piece of equipment to a user. The method includes attaching anequipment holder to the user. A first portion of a tether is attached tothe equipment and a second portion is attached to the user at a locationoffset from an engaging portion of the equipment holder. The equipmentis positioned against the engaging portion of the equipment holder inopposition to a tension force applied by the tether. The tension forcesufficient to retain the equipment with the engaging portion of theequipment holder. When the equipment is removed from the equipmentholder the tension force is negligible when the equipment is positionednear the second location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an equipment carrier in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the equipment carrier of FIG. 1 withtethers biasing an item of equipment into engagement with the equipmentholder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the equipment carrier of FIG. 1 with afront panel closed in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the equipment carrier of FIG. 1 securinga device to a user in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the equipment carrier of FIG. 4 with theuser accessing the device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternate equipment carrier with atether secured to a user in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an alternate equipment carrier withtethers with retractable mechanisms secured to a user in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate equipment carrier with aninverted equipment holder in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an equipment holder and tethers securedto straps of a back pack in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an equipment carrier secured to a user'sarm in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment ofan equipment holder having a locking assembly and a removable base platecoupled with each other.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the locking assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the removable base plate of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the equipment holder of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of operating theequipment holder of FIG. 10.

It should be noted that the embodiments depicted in this disclosure areshown only schematically, and that not all features may be shown in fulldetail or in proper proportion. Certain features or structures may beexaggerated relative to others for clarity. It should be noted furtherthat the embodiments shown are exemplary only, and should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the written description or appendedclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one embodiment of an equipment carrier 100 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In theillustrated embodiment, the equipment carrier 100 includes a pair ofshoulder straps 102, a waist strap 104, and a buckle 106 configured tosecure to a user 50. The straps 102, 104 can be constructed from avariety of suitable materials such as nylon or canvas) and can bearranged with a variety of buckles, ties, closures, and the like.

Equipment holder 200 is attached to one or more of the straps 102, 104so as to be supported against a wearer's chest or belly, within easyreach (see e.g., FIG. 5). More generally, the equipment holder 200 canbe held at any convenient or suitable position against the user's torsoor limbs (see e.g., FIG. 9). The position of the equipment holder 200(e.g., its height) can be fixed or adjustable on the equipment carrier100, such as by adjustment of strap lengths or a sliding buckle attachedto one of the straps 102, 104. In an alternate embodiment discussedherein, the equipment holder 200 can be attached to straps of anotherstructure, such as a backpack, so the straps 102, 104 are not necessary.

In the illustrated embodiment, the equipment holder 200 includes backpanel 202, top panel 206A, and front panel 206B (“the top front panels206”), and can further include a flexible bottom front panel 208. Theflexible bottom front panel 208 is attached to a lower portion of backpanel 202 and can fold upward to be releasably attached to the top frontpanel 206. The equipment holder 200 can be sized to accommodate theequipment 99 between the various panels of the equipment holder 200 withthe bottom front panel 208 folded upward and attached to top front panel206. The bottom front panel 208 is attached to the top front panel 206by any suitable fastener or closure mechanism 210 (e.g., snap,hook-and-loop, magnet, and so on). The equipment holder 200 can beconfigured to hold any equipment 99 desired to be kept within easy reachfor the user, such as a pair of binoculars, a laser rangefinder, acamera, GPS system, cell phone, or some other device.

The back panel 202 and top front panels 206 preferably form a rigid orsemi-rigid structure that nevertheless exhibits a small degree ofelastic deformability. The back panel 202 and the top front panel 206are preferably shaped to form a recess 205 sized to receive theequipment 99. The recess 205 can be arranged to provide an interferencefit when the equipment 99 is inserted to help to retain it in theequipment holder 200.

In another embodiment, the top front panels 206 are plasticallydeformable (or pre-molded) to be shaped to the equipment 99. Forexample, the top front panel 206 can be a ductile metal structure thatcan be deformed to the shape of the equipment 99. Alternatively the topfront panel 206 may be constructed from a thermoplastic material thatcan be heated a sufficient amount to permit shaping to conform to theequipment 99.

One or more tethers 300 are provided to attach the equipment 99 to theuser 50. In one embodiment, the tethers 300 are constructed from anelastic material (e.g., shock or bungee cord, elastic polymer or othersuitable elastic material) that provide bias force F when extended. Thetethers 300 preferably have a desired rest length when under negligibletension, but that is under tension when lengthened. In anotherembodiment, the tethers are tensioned by retraction mechanisms, such asillustrated in FIG. 6B. The tension force F is preferably sufficient toretains the equipment 99 in the recess 205, even when the user isengaged in kinetic activities (i.e., running, climbing, jumping, etc.).

In the illustrated embodiment, two tethers 300 are attached to theshoulder straps 102 at one end and to the equipment 99 at the other end.As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the tethers 300 provide tension forces Fthat biases the equipment 99 in recess 205 in the top panels 206. Usingtwo tethers 300 balances the forces F on the equipment 99 whenpositioned in the recess 205.

The tethers 300 can be attached in any suitable way to the equipmentholder 200 or to the support members 102/104 (e.g., tied, stitched,stapled, tacked, riveted, glued, buckled, latched, clamped, secured byhook-and-loop, and so on). The tethers 300 can be arranged or adapted tobe attached in any suitable way to the equipment 99 (e.g., tied aroundthe item, looped through an eyelet or similar structure on the item,attached to a case or sleeve for the item, attached to a mounting platesecured to the item, and so on).

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, once the equipment 99 is inserted betweenthe panels 202 and 206, the bottom front panel 208 can be pulled forwardbeneath the equipment 99 and upward in front of the equipment. In thatclosed arrangement, the panels 202, 206, and 208 enclose the equipmentin front, behind, above, and below and hold it in the holder 200. Theequipment 99 can be left exposed on the sides, thereby providing theuser 50 with access to grasp it while detaching the bottom front panel208 from the top front panel 206 to release the equipment 99 from theholder 200. The front panel 208 can be multiple substantially rigidsegments connected by one or more flexible joints or a single flexiblesheet.

Optionally, equipment carrier can include additional pockets or pouches212, quick-detach sockets, or attachment points to carry other objects(in addition to the equipment 99 in equipment holder 200). Such pockets,pouches, sockets, or attachment points can be located anywhere suitableon the equipment holder 200, such as on back panel 202 or top frontpanel 206, or on the set 100 of support members 102/104 (or backpack,safety harness, etc.).

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the equipment holder 200 is secured tothe user 50 with the equipment 99 retained in the recess 205 by thetension force F with the tethers 300 extended substantially beyond itsrest length (as in FIG. 4). The equipment 99 is captured in the recess205 by the tension force F, even when the bottom front panel 208 isopen.

As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the equipment 99 is removed from theequipment holder 200 and available for use by the user 50 with thetethers 300 under negligible tension. In the illustrated embodiment, theequipment 99 can be held by the user's face or head 52 with the tethers300 under negligible tension (i.e., not extended substantially beyondits rest length). The length of the tethers 300 are optimized so as tonot interfere with the user's 50 access to the equipment 99 when removedfrom the equipment holder 200.

The elongation of and tension on the tethers 300 with the equipment 99held by the equipment holder 200 can serve to retain the equipment 99 inthe holder 200, while permitting the user 50 to access the equipment 99with one hand. Attaching the tethers 300 at a location offset from theequipment holder 200 provides the tension force F to urges the equipment99 into the recess 205 as seen in FIG. 4. This arrangement also enablesthe equipment 99 to be held at or near the wearer's face or head withthe tether 300 at its rest length and under negligible tension as inFIG. 5. This configuration permits the user 50 to access the equipment99 (e.g., by holding binoculars or a camera in front of his eyes)without having to exert force against tension in the tethers 300.

FIG. 6A illustrates securing the tethers 300 as a discrete componentdirectly to the user 50 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The tether 300 merely wraps around the user's neck 54.

As discussed above, tension force F generated by the tether 300 retainsthe equipment 99 in the recess 205. The tension force F is calibrated sothat when the equipment 99 is removed from the equipment holder 200 andraised to the user's head 52 (see e.g., FIG. 5), the tension force F isnegligible, and preferably substantially zero.

Wrapping the tether 300 around the user's neck simulates a neck strap,such as for binoculars or a camera, providing easy access. If the user50 needs to engage in kinetic activity, the equipment 99 is easilyengages with the equipment holder 200 using one hand.

FIG. 6B illustrates the use of retraction mechanism 302 to generatetension force F on the tethers 300 that retains the equipment in therecess 205 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.The retraction mechanism 302 can be a spring-loaded spool or othersuitable extension/retraction mechanism. The retraction mechanism 302can be arranged to enable the tethers 300 to be extended under tensionand to be retracted when that tension is sufficiently reduced, and caninclude a stop that prevents further retraction of the tethers 300 onceit is retracted to a desired rest length.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment with the tethers 300 attached to theuser 50 below the equipment holder 200 in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure. The equipment holder 200 includes front panel206 sized to receive the equipment 99. The tension force F is directeddownward toward the waist strap 104 to retain the equipment 99 in therecess 205. In the illustrated embodiment, the equipment 99 is a GPSdevice with screen 98 that can be viewed at a location below theequipment holder 200.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate equipment holder 200 attached directlyto an existing structure, such as chest strap 310 of a backpack 312 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The straps 102,104 are not required. The tethers 300 are attached to shoulder straps314 of the backpack 312. The equipment holder 200 can be attached to atypical backpack, a safety vest or utility vest, a utility belt, asafety harness, a hydration pack with a bladder, or other garments orequipment that can be worn by a wearer, making the straps 102, 104unnecessary. In another embodiment, the tethers 300 are attacheddirectly to the user 50, such as the neck strap illustrated in FIG. 6A.

In an alternate embodiment, the equipment holder 200 can be attached tothe user's belt 58. The tethers 300 can be attached to the user 50 usingany of the techniques disclosed herein, such as by wrapping the tether300 around the user's neck (see FIG. 6A).

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate equipment carrier 350 attached to auser's limb 352 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Elastic strap 354 secures equipment holder 356 to the user'sarm 352. In the illustrated embodiment, the tethers 300 are secured toshoulder straps 358 on backpack 360. As discussed above, tension force Fgenerated by the tethers 300 biases the equipment 99 into recess 362. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the equipment 99 is a rangefinder.

In use, the user 50 removes the rangefinder 99 from the equipment holder356 and raises it to his eye. The length of the tethers 300 permit theuser 50 to raise the rangefinder 99 to his eye with little or noresistance.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate an alternate back panel 400 for an equipmentholder 402 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.Locking assembly 404 includes housing 405 with channels 406 configuredto engage with recesses 408 on removable base plate 410. Locking flap412 is biased to locked configuration 414 that retains the removablebase plate 410 in the channels 406. As will be discussed in detailbelow, trigger 416 lowers the locking flap 412 to be flush with surface418 so the removable base plate 410 can be slide out of the channels406.

In the illustrated embodiment, the removable base plate 410 includesthreaded member 420 that attaches to the equipment 99, such as forexample a camera. In one embodiment, the removable base plate 410 isconfigured to attach to a tripod or other structure.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate operation of the lock 404. FIG. 14 shows thelocking assembly 404 with housing 405 removed for clarity. FIG. 13 showsspring 422 biasing the locking flap 412 in the locked configuration 414.The locking flap 412 is attached to the locking assembly 404 by pivotpin 424.

In operation, moving the trigger 416 in direction 426 around pivot point427 from locked configuration 428 to an unlocked configuration causesthe locking flap 412 to rotate in direction 430 to be flush with surface418 so the removable base plate 410 can be slide in direction 432 andout of the channels 406. Spring 434 biases the trigger 416 back to thelocked configuration 428 so the locking flap 412 can return to thelocked configuration 414.

The removable base plate 410 can be returned to the locking assembly 404simply by sliding it along the surface 418 and into the channels 406.The biasing force of the spring 422 is overcome until the removable baseplate 410 is past leading edge 436, after which the spring 422 returnsthe locking flap 412 to the locked configuration 414.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range is encompassed within this disclosure. The upper and lowerlimits of these smaller ranges which may independently be included inthe smaller ranges is also encompassed within the disclosure, subject toany specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the statedrange includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either bothof those included limits are also included in the disclosure.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the various methods and materials arenow described. All patents and publications mentioned herein, includingthose cited in the Background of the application, are herebyincorporated by reference to disclose and described the methods and/ormaterials in connection with which the publications are cited.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for theirdisclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothingherein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure isnot entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention.Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from theactual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

Other embodiments are possible. Although the description above containsmuch specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope ofthe disclosure, but as merely providing illustrations of some of thepresently preferred embodiments. It is also contemplated that variouscombinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects ofthe embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of thisdisclosure. It should be understood that various features and aspects ofthe disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for oneanother in order to form varying modes disclosed. Thus, it is intendedthat the scope of at least some of the present disclosure should not belimited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

Thus the scope of this disclosure should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciatedthat the scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses otherembodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, andthat the scope of the present disclosure is accordingly to be limited bynothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an elementin the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unlessexplicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural,chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of theabove-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinaryskill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and areintended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is notnecessary for a device or method to address each and every problemsought to be solved by the present disclosure, for it to be encompassedby the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or methodstep in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the publicregardless of whether the element, component, or method step isexplicitly recited in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An equipment carrier, comprising: an elasticstrap configured for encompassing a user's limb; an equipment holderattached to the elastic strap; and a first and a second extensibletether, each tether defined at least in part by a first end and a secondend; wherein, the first end of the first and the second tether isconfigured for attachment to an equipment; the second end of the firstand the second tether is configured for attachment to a shoulder strap;and tension force generated upon elongation of the first and secondtethers retains the equipment within the equipment holder.
 2. Theequipment carrier of claim 1, comprising a recess defined at least inpart by a top front panel comprising a substantially rigid top panel anda substantially rigid front panel.
 3. The equipment carrier of claim 2,wherein the top front panel is elastically deformable.
 4. The equipmentcarrier of claim 2, wherein at least one of the top panel and the frontpanel is elastically deformable.
 5. The equipment carrier of claim 2,comprising a substantially flexible panel attached to the top panel. 6.The equipment carrier of claim 5, wherein the flexible front panelcomprises a single flexible sheet.
 7. The equipment carrier of claim 5,wherein the flexible front panel comprises two or more substantiallyrigid segments connected by flexible joints.
 8. The equipment carrier ofclaim 5, comprising a fastener configured for attaching the flexiblefront panel and the front panel to each other.
 9. The equipment carrierof claim 8, wherein the fastener comprises a snap, a hook-and-loop, or amagnet.
 10. The equipment carrier of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe first and the second tether is comprised of an elastic material. 11.The equipment carrier of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first andthe second tether is comprised of bungee cord or elastic polymer. 12.The equipment carrier of claim 1, wherein the first and the secondtethers are attached to the shoulder strap at respective locations abovethe equipment holder.
 13. The equipment carrier of claim 1, wherein theelastic strap encompasses at least a portion of the user's arm.